Twist and Shout (film)

Plot

The plot follows two best friends, Bjørn (Adam Tønsberg) and Erik (Lars Simonsen), and their coming-of-age in 1963 Denmark against the backdrop of The Beatles becoming an overnight sensation throughout Europe. Bjørn is pursued by Kirsten (Ulrikke Bondo), who has her mind set on marriage, but Bjørn instead falls for Anna (Camilla Søeberg). The somber Erik cares for his home-bound mentally ill mother while his strict father rules his life. Erik desires Kirsten, but she's unattainable to him. Pregnancy, a horrific illegal abortion, an engagement party, and a revelation about the rectitude of Erik's father leads to a climax of events, and Bjørn and Erik must stand up to controlling adults.

Cast

• Adam Tønsberg as Bjørn
• Lars Simonsen as Erik
• Camilla Søeberg as Anna
• Ulrikke Bondo as Kirsten
• Bent Mejding as Erik's father
• Aase Hansen as Erik's mother
• Arne Hansen as Bjørn's father
• Lone Lindorff as Bjørn's mother
• Thomas Nielsen as Bjørn's little brother Henning
• Malene Schwartz as Kirsten's mother
• Troels Munk as Kirsten's father
• Helle Spangaard as Kirsten's sister Inge

Reception

The film has a score of 80%, based on 5 reviews, on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. In a brief mixed review, Roger Ebert awarded the film two and a half stars. Critic Desson Howe noted although there was nothing particularly special about the film's plot, the on-screen charisma of the four young leads elevated the film. Janet Maslin of The New York Times gave a positive review, writing both Zappa and Twist and Shout "draw their strength from the portrait of an arid, conventional Danish society that Mr. August uses as these stories' implicit backdrop". Michael Wilmington of The Los Angeles Times also praised the film and said it gives "a realistic look at adolescent love and its harrowing consequences, a stark portrayal of the horrors of family life, and a bitter but clear-eyed look at social barriers, the dangers of compromise and the vulnerable bonds of friendship".

References

References

1. "14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985)". MIFF.
2. Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
3. "Twist and Shout (1984)". [[IMDb]].
4. "Twist and Shout". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
5. Ebert, Roger. (19 September 1986). "Twist and Shout movie review (1986)".
6. Howe, Desson. (12 June 1987). "Twist and Shout (NR)". [[Washington Post]].
7. Maslin, Janet. (26 September 1986). "A BOUNTIFUL FALL SEASON FOR NEW YORK FILMGOERS; 'TWIST AND SHOUT,' FROM DENMARK".
8. Wilmington, Michael. (22 August 1986). "MOVIE REVIEW : A DARK VISION IN 'TWIST AND SHOUT".